Cardmarket Takes Legal Action Against Pokemon TCG Market Manipulators, Seeks Damages

Cardmarket, often dubbed the “European version of TCGplayer,” appears to be taking legal action against sellers who manipulate the market prices of Pokemon cards on its platform.

In a cease and desist letter obtained by PokeBeach, the company has accused a seller of creating over 200 fake accounts to manipulate the price of the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” promo card.

In this type of fraud, the seller uses fake accounts to “buy” the cheapest listings without paying for them (which temporarily removes them from the marketplace). This then allows the seller to offer their own listings for what they want the “cheapest” price to be.

“[You bought] competing offers that you never paid for, nor had the intention to do so,” Cardmarket’s letter says. “You consistently aimed to provide the lowest price for this specific card on our marketplace. In a total of 31 cases, you were able to sell the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card with this action.”

The company goes on to say, “This behavior is anti-competitive and is at least punishable as fraud.”

Cardmarket’s letter estimates the seller’s actions caused over 12,000 euros in damages, or about $13,000. The seller must pay Cardmarket or the company will presumably take them to court.

Anecdotally, Pokemon cards have become more prone to price manipulation in recent years. Cardmarket’s legal action appears to be their response to a growing problem.